Summer is in full swing and temperatures are up. Do you know what to do if your dog is overheated?  Can you spot the warning signs?

Dogs are more sensitive to high temperatures than humans because they rely on breathing out hot air and breathing in cold air to regulate their body temperature. If the air is hot, particularly if it’s close to body temperature, they overheat.

 Short dogs and dogs with squat faces have an ever-harder time than other dogs regulating their body temperature. They overheat faster in hot weather, enclosed spaces, or during vigorous exercise.

 Dogs sweat only through their noses and the pads of their feet. Having such a limited area to sweat from also contributes to rapid overheating and potentially fatal heat strokes in hot or humid weather.

If your dog is lethargic, panting excessively or just acting very uncomfortable…he might be overheated.

Start by getting your dog wet.  Use cold water if possible.  Pay special attention to getting the neck and underbelly wet.  It is also very important to get the insides of your dog’s hind legs wet.  This is very effective in cooling her off quickly.  You may have to submerge your dog in a bathtub or pool to help this process.

If you cannot cool your dog off effectively and he doesn’t start to regain composure, you need to seek medical attention quickly.  Heat stroke can be fatal to dogs.

Specific to us here in Arizona, it is very important to remember that a car’s interior temperature can reach 140 to 180 degrees on days when it is 105 outside.  Please do not leave your dog inside your car!

Also beware when walking your dog as pavement/blacktop and concrete absorb heat very easily.  Smaller dogs, especially, are very susceptible to this and can burn their paws quite quickly.  If you cannot stand on it barefoot, neither can your dog!

 

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